Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Ask Bruce Campbell about the "B-word" and the actor won't take offense.

Although making B-movies is often seen as a step down for so-called A-list celebrities, the "Evil Dead" star practically built a long career and a loyal fanbase around them.

"B-movie" is a bad word for Campbell. Instead, the 56-year-old actor sees it as a badge of honor.

"I never apologize for B-movies because B-movies can do a lot more creatively than a movie that costs $300 million," Campbell said. "With $300 million, you've got all kinds of rules. I find the higher the budget, the less interesting the movies are, in my opinion."

Friday, November 14, 2014

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has picked up worldwide distribution rights to the thriller A Man In the Dark from Ghost House Pictures and director Fede Alvarez, Bloody Disgusting is told.

“In A A Man In the Dark, three teens who get away with perfectly planned home robberies have set their sights on one last payout that will get them out of crime forever. Their target: a reclusive blind man with a million dollars in hiding. When they break into his home, the tables are turned and they find themselves fighting for survival against a psychopath with secrets of his own.“

“We’re thrilled to be in business again with the creative team behind Evil Dead, and to back Fede on his next picture,” stated Bersch. “He and Rodo (Sayagues) have crafted a screenplay that keeps you on the edge of your seat and we look forward to bringing the movie to audiences worldwide.”

Sony Pictures Entertainment has a long and successful history collaborating with Ghost House Pictures that includes six #1 box office hits, most recently Alvarez’s Evil Dead, the hit retelling of Sam Raimi’s classic which grossed nearly $100 million in worldwide box office.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Ready for some groovy news? Starz has ordered a follow-up series to the cult “Evil Dead” film franchise, titled “Ash vs. Evil Dead.” The new show will reteam director Sam Raimi with longtime producing partner Rob Tapert and star Bruce Campbell, who will reprise his iconic role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead.

When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons — personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip. The series is slated for 10 half-hour episodes set to debut in 2015.

“Starz first worked with Sam and Rob on ‘Spartacus,’ and we are thrilled to be back in business with them,” said Carmi Zlotnik, Managing Director of Starz. “With Sam writing and directing and Bruce Campbell returning to the screen, we are certain the show will give ‘Evil Dead’ fans around the world the fix they’ve been craving.”

“Evil Dead has always been a blast. Bruce, Rob, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the next chapter in Ash’s lame, but heroic saga. With his chainsaw arm and his ‘boomstick,’ Ash is back to kick some monster butt. And brother, this time there’s a truckload of it,” said Raimi.

“I’m really excited to bring this series to the ‘Evil Dead’ fans worldwide — it’s going to be everything they have been clamoring for: serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor,” said Campbell.

“Starz has always been a great creative partner and we are excited to be working with them on this project,” added Robert Tapert.

Raimi will direct the first episode as well as serving as executive producer alongside Tapert and Campbell. “Ash Vs. Evil Dead” was written by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Tom Spezialy. Ivan Raimi will co-executive produce and Aaron Lam will serve as producer.

The “Ash vs. Evil Dead” project was packaged by CAA and Craig Jacobson at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller. Marta Fernandez will serve as the executive in charge at Starz. The cabler will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment, and digital.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

The Walking Dead can take a hike. Sam Raimi's "ultimate experience in gruelling terror", The Evil Dead, is being developed as a television series, with Raimi directing and star Bruce Campbell back as Ash –the role that turned him into a cult figure and horror icon. We received this fantastic news from the mouth of Campbell himself, when we spoke to him at length about the horror franchise.

Speculation as to whether or not he and Sam Raimi would return to the Evil Dead universe has been rampant following the success of the 2013 reboot, in which Campbell made a "groovy" post-credits cameo as Ash.

When asked if we'd ever see him in another Evil Dead film directed by Raimi, he responded: "Maybe not a movie, but we're actively pursuing a TV series, directed by Sam and with me as a middle-aged, flabby Ash. There are some very interested parties and it's just a matter of dotting the i's and crossing the t's."

There are a lot of geek icons at this weekend’s Wizard World Ohio Comic Con, but none has me more geeked than Bruce Campbell. I mean, I saw “Evil Dead 2” on a friend’s VCR in high school, and it literally changed my life. It’s part of why I’m a movie critic.

I got a chance to chat with Campbell about his status as cult movie and TV icon, the world of fandom and, oh yeah, that “Evil Dead” TV series.